'Tarzan' Gets 3 Years In Jail For Assault, Fleeing To Wild

April 24, 1986|By United Press International

FELLSMERE — A strongman who calls himself Tarzan, swings from tree-to-tree to stay fit and spent weeks last fall in the wild hiding from police has been sentenced to three years in prison for aggravated assault.

Indian River Circuit Judge Charles Smith on Tuesday also sentenced Irving ''Tarzan'' Craiger, 42, for possession of a firearm, resisting arrest with violence, fleeing and eluding police, and simple assault, court officials said.

He was convicted of the three felonies and two misdemeanors in March.

Craiger is a showman and body builder who lives near Fellsmere, a small community in north-central Indian River County.

Authorities said Craiger's troubles began with an Oct. 22 disturbance that led to his hiding in the woods for nine weeks. Craiger had threatened to blow up the home of a family he believed was involved with a burglary against a friend, Assistant State Attorney Joe Wild said.

Fellsmere police received a disturbance call and Craiger fled. In a chase, he rammed his car through a roadblock and sped to his rural home, police said. Sgt. Dale Howard followed Craiger into the house. Craiger pulled a gun, court records say. His wife intervened and he fled and jumped into a canal.

Craiger lived nine weeks in the woods. He built a shelter with palmetto fronds, ate small animals and drank from natural wells.

He returned home to spend Christmas with his wife. To celebrate the holidays, he began burning trees. Neighbors called police, who captured him.